Two NRIs lose US Senate race

Two NRIs fail to make it to the US Senate while one retains his seat in the general assembly in the New Jersey state elections.

Two Indian Americans lost their bid for the US Senate while one retained his seat in the general assembly in the New Jersey state elections.

Upendra Chivukula, deputy speaker of the assembly, seeking a fourth two-year term as a Democrat from New Jersey's 17th district, romped home comfortably on Tuesday. Born in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Chivukula is an electrical engineer with a long record in public service and politics.

Seema Singh, contesting as a Democrat from the 14th district, could only get 37 per cent votes and lost to Republican Bill Baroni. Singh is a former Ratepayer Advocate for New Jersey and president of the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Wasim Khan, a Democrat seeking election to the Senate from the 17th district, polled 34 per cent votes, losing to Republican Joseph Pennacchio.